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Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1931, Page 4

Tiik victory for Reform in the Haurnki by-election ye.- to relay, ivia a pronounced one, and confirmed the occupancy of the party to the seat. No doubt the party was fortunate in the choice of candidate and the name, he hears, and in territory where the late Mr Massey was well known, his relative (possibly no lex s well known) was among many ardent friends, Apart from that. Reform has held this new electorate since its constitution, arid the locality was thus very favourable ground. The poll appt‘ar s to have been miicli smaller tiiaii was tixpeefed, hilt desjJitfi tllat; tile Reform candidate held tlifi fclriiibf v'otiiig strength. T.ahbur alsfi hfetd its former support, with the addition of an extra lon votes, hut was still a long way from victoiv. After all tho noise and shouting of the campaign, and the many wild statements made about the conrtrv going over to Labour, it is satisfactory to find the voters were by no means wedded to the party. Tts say s something for the good sense of the electors that they were not deluded to anv alarming extent by the spacious promises on behalf of the Labour Party. Less than a third of the votes polled were in favour of Labour only; so thatthere was a two to one margin against the party, the no]icy of which air-pars to he to plav fast ard loose with tho finances. Tbo promise to re-tore “cuts” and other economies pressed upon the Government, would moan a radical upsetting of safe finance at this juncture, and Haurnki ha- understood the issue, and given Labour ro encouragement jn its policy. The Government candidate did not do as well as was expected. It scorns probable that the electors regarded the return of Mr Massey as the surest of victory, and the majority of the votes practically went that way. No doubt the Country Party representative- took votes from the United candidate also, but even after making these allowances. tile support to Mr Allan was riot flattering. The explanation appears to he that the electors were bent bn making “assurance doubly sure.” arid ns the seat was formerly Reform, to leave no doubt about it continuiiig so. The result does not disturb the numerical strength of the parties’ in the House, and to that extent honor* are oven. The occn-slon would doubtless prove something of a safety value, in letting off surplus talk, and to that extent may be helpful at the early session in assisting to clear tho air, and giving parties a better idea of where they -stand with the people in at least one portion of the Dominion.